Surface-cleaning implement



April 3, 1928.

G. TERPENNING SURFACE CLEANING IMPLEMENT Filed March 5, 1927 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNE Y Patented Apr. 3, 1928.

GARRET crnnrnnnme, F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

SURFACE-CLEANING IMPLEMENT.

, Application filed March 5, 1927. Serial No. 172,961.

This invention relates to devices for holding sponges, mop material and similar ar ticles used in cleaning surfaces.

It frequently are so far remote, or otherwise inaccessible,

that a long handled implement must be employed and also that the cleaning element be disposed at an angle to the handle.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a fmple but effective implement composed of a pair of hinged jaws pivoted to a handle, the jaws being held in positive adjustment by a handle carried detent, no springs or loose parts being used.

It is a-further feature to arrange the jaws in such manner as to be opened or closed on the material gripped between them by the foot, leaving the hands free to maneuver the handle in retaining or releasing the jaws as may be desired.

Another purpose is to produce an implement of an essentially practical character despite its simplicity, that is easy of opera- 7 tion and which can be manufactured at a moderate expense.

These and corresponding objects and aims are accomplished by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure, and in which Figure 1 is a rear plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same in an operative position.

Figure 3 is a partial sectional on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a side elevational view of the device in an inoperative, open position.

In the drawing, the numeral 10 designates an elongated, cylindrical handle having a flattened lower end stem 11 pivoted on a rod 12 passing through angular block or jaw 13, the jaw being provided with a slot 14 to enable freedom of movement of the handle, and a flexible rectangular lug 15 on its inner surface near the front edge.

view looking Hinges 16 on the rear of the jaw 13, on

so both sides of the slot 14, connect with a similar mating jaw having a rounded rear edge 18 and a slot 19 in register with the slot 14:, to permit movement of the handle 10.

Fixed on the outer face of the jaw 17 on both sides of the handle 10, is a pair of racks occurs that such surfaces and a detent carried a substantially tri- 2O engageable' witha detent 21, secured on the handle, for a purpose which will later be seen.

In operation, the jaws 1317 are opened and a sponge 22 or other cleaning device, is inserted partially therebetween.

The jaws are then closed and squeezed together under pressure of the operators foot while the handle is moved towards a vertical position relative to the jaws so that the detent 21 will engage the teeth of the racks 20, positively clamping the article between the aws.

It may be understood that it will now be possible to reach places to be cleaned, in an easy manner.

To remove the cleaning device, the jaws 1317 are pressed together, while the detent 21 is disengaged from the rack teeth permitting the jaws to be opened.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a cleaning implement has been disclosed that is entirely practical, very simple and which can be manufactured at a moderate cost.

As changes of construction could be made within the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new; and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An implement of the class described comprising a handle, a jaw pivoted at the end of said handle, a second jaw hinged to the first jaw, a rack fixed on said second jaw, by said handle to en gage the teeth of said rack.

2. An implement of the class described comprising a handle having a flattened stem, a pair of jaws having an opening through which said stem freely passes, a hinge connecting said jaws, a pivot in one of said jaws on which said stem is mounted, a. ratchet rack fixed on the outer side of the other jaw, and a detent carried by said. handle to engage the teeth of said rack.

3. An implement of the class described comprising a handle having a flattened stem, a pair of jaws having a slot extending in from their rear edges, said jaws being connection between said handle stem and the a pivotal Y lower jaw, said stem passing'freely through the slot in theupper jaw, racks on the upper jaw, and means for adjustably engaging the teeth of said racks carried by said handle.

4. An implement of the class described comprising a handle having a flattened stem,

a pair of jaws having an opening through i which said stem freely passes, a hinge connecting saidjaws, jaws on which said stem is mounted, a flexible pad-carried on the-inner side of the lowerjaw, and means carried by said handle t0 forcibly retain said jaws when adjusted in closed position. a 1

5; An implement of the class described a pivot in one of said comprising a handlehaving a flattened stem, a pair of spaced fiat said jaws at their rear edges, said jaws being slotted to receive the flattened stem, a

pivot connecting said jaw within the slot of the lower. jaw, a ridged surface on the outer side of the upper'jaw, and means carried by said handle to engage said ridged surface at various points whereby the jaws GARRET TERPENNING.

jaws, hinges connecting 

